Chapter One: Frozen Wastes
The planet of Hoth was cold.
Very cold.
In fact, it was probably the coldest place Revan had ever been. There was a Jedi Temple in this place, somewhere, but that wasn't why he was here. It was a little-known fact, but the planets were big. So you could have more than one major location on a planet or even many locations.
And it was for there locations they were searching for.
With his wall against a cliff face, Revan adjusted his mask, grateful for the shelter. Raising a comlink, he opened a channel while peering out. "Hey, Meetra, this is Revan.
"I've been scanning this quadrant for some time. I don't pick up any life readings."
"There isn't enough life on this rock to fill a star cruiser, Revan. Why are we out here?" came Meetra's reply.
"We already talked about this in the briefing, Meetra," said Revan. "What didn't we go over?"
"Why here specifically?" asked Meetra. "There are a lot of other planets that would be better for smuggling operations than Hoth. I mean, the Jedi even have an outpost in the Glacial Fissure. We use this place to train people for hostile environments."
"Sure," said Revan. "But that's kind of the point. If I were a smuggler, I'd want to pick a place that was less than perfect for my operations—a place somewhere with hostile terrain and good access to the lanes.
"Hoth fits the bill.
"The Jedi Temple, in theory, makes it a no-go. In practice, this place has had a skeleton crew for years. We almost abandoned it after Ossus, and traveling to Hoth is dangerous. They simply don't have the resources to patrol the whole planet.
"And most training exercises stick to areas that are well-scouted."
"I still think there are better places," said Meetra, and her voice was audible as she came round the bend.
"Which ironically makes it perfect," laughed Revan, putting down his comlink. "Think about it.
"If you pick the perfect place for smuggling with good ease of access and good terrain. All the Republic has to do is look at a list of those locations. Once done, they ship down here with a fleet and wipe you out.
"If the place has really hostile ground, though, it will be lower on the list. And if somebody does come looking for you, the harsh terrain could cause serious problems."
"I don't see why we are out here looking for smugglers anyway," said Malak. "Shouldn't we be focusing on the Iridian plague? Or on preparing for the war."
"We are doing all three," said a voice. "I would have thought such a simple thing would be all too obvious to a Jedi."
Revan looked up, surprised at how quickly they arrived. Atris' handmaidens came forward as one, Brienna to one side. Their usual outfits were covered by heavier garments now; more was the pity. Meetra looked at them in irritation. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"If you would?" said one of the handmaidens.
Revan sighed. "Smuggler bases are bases of illegal trade, Meetra. They serve as a place where people can market illegal and stolen goods. This means all of them are part of the trade lanes.
"The Iridian Plague spreads by trade lanes. We can monitor and secure trade lanes to filter out those infected with the Iridian Plague to at least slow it. So, if you were someone moving infected populations, what would be your route?"
"Smuggler routes," guessed Meetra.
"Exactly," said Revan, looking up at the white sky. "Shut down all the smuggler moons and occupy them with Republic forces. Then we severely limit illegal traffic. In addition, these bases can be gradually reinforced and improved over time. Stations can be set up and utilized, all to improve our observational capabilities.
"This would aid in hunting pirates.
"But it will also be very useful when the Second Mandalorian War begins."
"That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" asked Meetra, who had fought in the first. "I mean, we've only just finished the Mandalorian War. Labeling it the First Mandalorian War is a bit defeatist."
"Meetra, the Mandalorians want a full-scale war, and so do we," said Revan. "They want their great crusade, and we have to get Onderon back, not to mention other places. We're going to have at least one more war at this rate, probably two.
"We beat them soundly last time, but when they strike next, they'll have fixed a lot of their issues. The Republic has to adapt too and be ready to fight them; that means getting our new military far stronger."
"So we land troops, practice operating in hostile environments. They help hunt down criminals, limit the Iridian Plague. And get ready for round two," guessed Meetra. "That's some pretty extensive multitasking."
"Obviously," said the Handmaiden's leader. "Now, if there is nothing else, we are actually trying to locate our enemies."
"What is your problem?" asked Meetra.
"We do not like having to explain the obvious to one who shouldn't even be here," said the Handmaiden.
"So you don't like talking among each other?" asked Meetra.
"Amusing," said the Handmaiden. "I would gladly teach you your error. However-"
"Revan, do you read?" came Master Kae's voice over the communicator.
"What is it, Master?" asked Revan.
"I'm picking up signs of ion exhaust just over that rise, Revan," said Kae. "You don't usually get that unless you have a lot of traffic."
Revan nodded. "Good, let's check it out."
And he made for Master Kae, some ways off. As they walked, Meetra moved after him. Revan, what about the abominable wampa?"
"Giant yetis that prey on the unwary?" laughed Revan as he turned to her. "I don't think they exist."
At that moment, a giant, white, yeti sprang from the snow nearby. Revan narrowed stepped away as it clawed for him. Then Meetra drew her yellow lightsaber and slashed twiced before it fell to pieces on the ground. Steam rose from the bloody wounds.
Revan nodded. "I stand corrected.
"Thanks, Meetra. Let's get to the speeder; we don't want to still be here when it's dark out."
They made their way forward and soon came to where Master Kae lay peering with binoculars. Coming out near them, Revan looked out toward the location and saw what she meant. It was a large facility nestled within a valley. There were no towers, for it seemed to be a series of interconnected domes.
Most of them were, in turn, connected by long hallways. However, there seemed to be a hangerbay door open. A vessel descended into it from above.
"Yeah, that's definitely a smuggler base," said Meetra. "Heavily armed to resist pirate attacks, no ID signature on the vessels. Freighters are coming in and out. Those are the sort meant to carry a lot of cargo."
"Master Kae, should we call it in?" asked Revan.
"Captain Karath should be nearby with a small fleet," said one of the handmaidens. "We could easily overrun such a place."
"...No," said Arren Kae. "I want to know what they are carrying. Handmaidens, do you think you could get in there?"
"There appear to be several doorways," noted one. "And pirates do not usually spend a lot on security. With our stealth fiend generators, we should be able to enter unseen."
"Good," said Arren. "Do so; I want you to get a tracker onto every vessel you can. Get a layout of the base and rough ideas of troops. And also, listen in on some conversations and see if you can learn a bit about the people inside.
"We want to know everything we can.
"Revan, Meetra, and I are going to take it easy and discuss strategy while you do all the work, back in the shuttle. Hurry back to us, but don't take any chances. If night starts to fall, take shelter and stay put. This is not time-sensitive."
"We understand. We shall return," said the Handmaidens.
Then they descended.
Revan remembered that Brienna was Arren Kae's daughter with Yusanis. He wondered if this affected them in any way. Kae, however, shrugged, smiled, and stood up. "Let's go."
The shuttle had an ID number, not a name. It was not meant for space travel and could only take them back to the Glacial base.
"What are we doing now?" asked Meetra. "Calling in the Republic navy?"
"Yes," said Arren. "But we're not attacking the smugglers."
"Why not?" asked Revan, who knew she'd have a good reason.
"The plans have changed," said Arren. "We're not hitting the smugglers."
"What happened?" asked Meetra.
"Nothing happened," said Arren. "I talked over your plan with the Council yesterday, and we decided it's not going to work." She sat down, and Revan did so across from her, Meetra near her. "It's too aggressive, Revan.
"You, Malak, and Meetra are willful and headstrong. You're all about action, action, action, even when sometimes a lack of action will serve better."
"How is aggressively attacking criminals bad?" asked Meetra. "The more we wiped out, the fewer there are."
"Well, think about it," said Arren. "If we start knocking out smuggler operations one at a time, they'll panic. They'll start looking for outside support, make alliances, or just go black for a bit. Others will go underground and wait for the storm to pass. At the same time, some of them will be under the protection of the people we're working with.
"Vogga, Leila of Taris, Malgus, even Republic officials.
"They'll exert pressure on us to stop operations. Then things will stalemate before we get anywhere. The Republic will want a compromise or something, and that'll be the end of things. A lot of them will get off scot-free, and we don't get a buffer zone."
"What is your alternative?" asked Revan.
"Patience," said Arren, raising a hand. "There are two parts of the Exchange right now. The ones are working with the Republic and the ones who aren't.
"Now, the ones working with the Republic are convinced we're a bunch of easily manipulated saps. They'll be suspicious of the law at first, but over time they'll become confident in us. We want them to be confident.
"If they are confident in us, they'll start using our resources to destroy their rivals.
"We want them completely at ease and confident in our cooperation and corruptibility. That'll be much easier with our reputation in shreds from Malak's stunt over Coruscant. At the same time, we'll be little by little gathering information bit by bit. Until eventually, we have everything we need, and we don't need them.
"At that moment, we strike.
"All of our Republic forces will strike these areas all at once, seize the territory. We'll make simultaneously an arrest of people we can. Once they squeal, we capture others and work our way down the list. If all goes well, we can shut down all of their operations before they have a chance to prepare.
"Blitzkrieg, Revan. Lightning warfare is the best way to destroy an enemy. Hit hard, cut their communications, and keep hitting until they collapse."
"And what about the alternative purpose?" asked Meetra. "Operational experience. Wiping out smuggler strongholds was one of the whole reasons this idea appealed."
"Captain Saul Karath is going to be taking a trip down here on behalf of the Republic," said Arren Kae. "His purpose will be to ask the smugglers here to maintain Jedi Council guidelines.
"We'll imply that we got the location handed to us by Vogga or something."
"You're joking," said Revan.
"Master Kae, that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why would we make that kind of request?" asked Meetra.
"Karath will also admit he is planning to do a training exercise for his men in the snows of Hoth," said Arren Kae.
"They might scrap operations," noted Revan.
"Good," said Kae. "If they do, we can move in and take over. No harm there. If they don't, well, we just assure them that someone in a high place has guaranteed their safety. They'll guess at Vogga or one of the other operatives, and they'll make some sort of deal with him.
"We monitor movements and transmissions and lie still.
"They make lots of deals we observe, and still we lie still. Then, the Iridian Plague becomes manageable, and then...
"Complete annihilation.
"Remember, Revan; you are the center of your universe. Let it move for you."
Communication came in from the Handmaidens. "Master Kae, we have planted the trackers you requested and are returning to the vessel."
"Excellent," said Kae. "Get back to the freighter and prepare to move out.
"I'll brief you when you get here."
Revan wished Malak were here, but he and Master Kreia and Bastila and all the rest were elsewhere. Almost as soon as the celebrations on Cathar had concluded. Then everyone scattered on one mission or another. Revan and Master Kae were here, seeking smugglers.
And all the while, he could feel the Iridian Plague growing.
They got back, eventually, and the Handmaidens gave a detailed report. "These smugglers are well-armed. They seem to have prepared for a possible attack. However, it seems that there are several different gangs.
"They are led by a man named Kando Ohnaka. He appears to be quite well-regarded by his men, and he has been operating here for some time. His defenses are formidable but are unlikely to survive a determined assault. There is a shield generator as well, which would deflect any orbital bombardment.
"Trackers have been set on the ships and bugs installed in critical rooms. We have also hacked his consoles and have his password data, including star maps of all his contacts. The ID would be formidable for a lesser slicer.
"He and his men have a tendency to drink hard. However, he himself drinks little. And there are sedatives and poisons in the cupboards.
"If you wish, we could easily set explosives in preparation for an assault. Without shields, we could annihilate them from space."
"Thank you," said Arren. "I see why Atris likes you so much."
"What was their cargo?" asked Revan.
"Refugees," said the Handmaiden. "Some people, it seems, have taken to selling themselves into slavery for transport."
They discussed many things and examined the data. It soon became apparent that he had many contacts on many worlds that came through here.
The war had not ended.
But now, the enemy was no army or man. It was a disease that had killed more people than the blood-soaked war. Billions upon billions had been slain by its spread, and now it was mutating. And now, even as they spoke, smugglers were transporting cargo. Hoth was a place near many trade lanes, ideal for a rebellion or criminal activity.
They had the power to destroy this thing here and now.
But for the sake of strategy, they had to delay, to allow it to continue to operate. Revan looked up, wishing for Visas. But she was gone back to Katarr, and he knew he had to focus on the Force himself. Clearing his mind, he contemplated possible strategy.
"Master Kae," said Revan. "This operation is a problem. A lot of lanes go through here. Leaving it intact is a major liability."
"Do you have a solution?" asked Arren.
What if I had a way we could both destroy these smugglers. And also do so while keeping the criminals from going undercover?"
Kae looked up and smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."
And Revan told her his plan.
Author's Note:
This fic is a sequel to a fic series I have been writing for a while, focusing on the cast of Knights of the Old Republic.
In order is goes:
The Root of Evil.
Carth Onasi, Ace Detective.
The Mandalorian Wars.
And finally, Galaxy of Plague.